There is sometimes confusion about PAL’s focus on active living. I have heard comments that suggest we are trying to make everyone a spandex wearing cyclist or a marathon runner. I have so (SO) much respect for those that participate in activity at that level (they work very hard) but that is not PAL’s goal, exactly. Instead, we are striving for is a community where all residents can be active and safe at whatever intensity they choose – whether that means a 50+ mile bicycle ride in spandex or a family tootle or walk (the latter is more my speed these days). We want Spartanburg to be a fun, healthy, active, vibrant community for all residents.

The phrase ‘all residents’ is an important one in the PAL office. Our initiatives are designed to impact a wide range of the Spartanburg community. A few examples include –
• Hub Cycle: 86% of users are at or below federal household poverty and use the bicycle for a variety of purposes: recreation, transportation, exercise;
• Trail improvement and expansion: the MBF Rail Trail is a very special place. I think it is one of the most diverse in our community, and diverse in terms of socioeconomic status, race, physical ability, purpose of use, and age. We want to see more inclusive places like this;
• School advocacy: PAL is fortunate to work with many school partners to develop healthier environments, and this means we work with a wide range of students, faculty, and families;
• Spartanburg BCycle: two of my favorite BCycle stations are the ones on Converse College and Wofford College campuses. PAL wants to see our emerging leaders associate their time in Spartanburg as one where riding a bicycle is cool, fun, and encouraged.

Partners for Active Living will have fulfilled our vision when all residents in the Spartanburg community can choose to safely, conveniently, and easily be active…including those that wear spandex.

For more about Partners for Active Living, visit www.active-living.org

About This Blog

By Laura Ringo, executive director of Partners for Active Living

There is sometimes confusion about PAL’s focus on active living. I have heard comments that suggest we are trying to make everyone a spandex wearing cyclist or a marathon runner. I have so (SO) much respect for those that participate in activity at that level (they work very hard) but that is not PAL’s goal, exactly. Instead, we are striving for is a community where all residents can be active and safe at whatever intensity they choose – whether that means a 50+ mile bicycle ride in spandex or a family tootle or walk (the latter is more my speed these days). We want Spartanburg to be a fun, healthy, active, vibrant community for all residents.

The phrase ‘all residents’ is an important one in the PAL office. Our initiatives are designed to impact a wide range of the Spartanburg community. A few examples include –
• Hub Cycle: 86% of users are at or below federal household poverty and use the bicycle for a variety of purposes: recreation, transportation, exercise;
• Trail improvement and expansion: the MBF Rail Trail is a very special place. I think it is one of the most diverse in our community, and diverse in terms of socioeconomic status, race, physical ability, purpose of use, and age. We want to see more inclusive places like this;
• School advocacy: PAL is fortunate to work with many school partners to develop healthier environments, and this means we work with a wide range of students, faculty, and families;
• Spartanburg BCycle: two of my favorite BCycle stations are the ones on Converse College and Wofford College campuses. PAL wants to see our emerging leaders associate their time in Spartanburg as one where riding a bicycle is cool, fun, and encouraged.

Partners for Active Living will have fulfilled our vision when all residents in the Spartanburg community can choose to safely, conveniently, and easily be active…including those that wear spandex.

For more about Partners for Active Living, visit www.active-living.org